Chapter: CITY!

Movement City.

What's that you ask?

Possibly the best place you can spend your time at. So, here's my story. Gonna get a little personal, so hold on to something. Just kidding, but seriously this isn't a joking matter. Ok, so here's me, a quiet, shy, bored with her life, desperate to find something to do to that she loves, bored (again), girl whose really dying to go somewhere she'll fit perfectly in, and do something creative. Did you pick up on the problem yet? Shy. So I'd heard of Movement City when it was Hope Street. I believe I was in my early teens at the time. I was introduced to it by my mom, apparently she wanted to dump me off

someplace where I could go nuts with the arts stuff. So I printed out the application, filled it out and everything.

Moment of truth... never sent it in.

Downer, right?

3 years later. (Approximately)

I hear about this center called Movement City, where you can take all sorts of creative classes. Sounded familiar to me. My friend described the area, told me where it was, how the people were. The whole kit and kaboodle. So I once again printed out an application, filled it out, even WENT to the building. When the moment of truth came I turned back, and went home.

3 more years later. (I think.)

I was on a step team for my high school and I told my friend Valerie about Movement City. We youtubed it, and I showed her all the dance videos. She fell under the same spell I was under and signed up. The difference between her and I, I was shy. Very shy. I was going to begin going, but I couldn't because my practices already took too much of my time. Junior year comes, and there is no longer a step team. One monday afternoon, I'm sitting in my living room frustrated. I call my friend and explain to her I'm bored with my life, and I want to dance again. She pretty much yells at me, telling me I need to go to MC. So, the next week, she actually brings me there herself and makes me sign up. I know, I sound like a baby, but whatever.

The following week, when I was going there for the first time alone, was a car ride I would never forget. I was shaking. I don't think I have ever been that nervous. Think about it, here I am going to this center where I know no one. I don't even live in the city. Moving on. When I entered, I was immediately greeted by the those who were there and was overwhelmed by the creative spirit that was bouncing off the walls. I was still in my shell, and barely spoke to anyone, unless I was spoken to.

I first took a dance class, and loved it. When the last session of the year ended, I didn’t want to leave the center for the whole summer, so I spoke to the Academic Director and asked her if there was anyway I could help out during the summer. She told me I could volunteer with the stations summer camp, and I jumped at the offer and told her I would. So that summer was when I really met everyone and developed relationships with the younger kids. It was a busy summer, besides volunteering, but I made it possible so that I could go.

Entering my senior year, I felt like I was a part of the family in Movement City. I joined Movement Squad, and was involved with all the happenings at MC. I loved being a part of the center and helping out the way it helped me. See, what I love so much about MC is that it turned my life around. Not to be dramatic. It saved me from a black hole of a depression I was already in.

The relationships I have made with the people at Movement City are ones I will carry with me for the rest of my life. The center has allowed me to blossom as a person and find my voice. It has enabled me to feel comfortable being myself around people I don’t know, and uplifted my spirit at a time where it was impossible. It has given me so much to look forward to in life and has allowed me to find the confidence I lacked. As I retrogress and look back to the first time I set foot in the center, I understand why I was so nervous. It was because my life was about to change, and the I had found my home away from home.

I know it seems a little sappy, but hey, it's the truth. This center is something that should be in every state of this country, and I won't be surprised if it someday happens. So, when I say "Movement!", I want to hear (or read) you all say "City!"

MOVEMENT?!